Father lands in jail after nonpayment of child support

On behalf of Sweeney Law Offices posted in Family Law on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

When a Pennsylvania non-custodial parent chooses to not pay child support, there may be several negative reactions as a result. The most important one might be that the child has to go without a meal, without needed medicine or without sufficient apparel for cold winter months. Other consequences might affect the non-custodial parent him or herself. Case in point, one man is facing contempt of court charges for non-payment of child support.

A report states the father was ordered by the court in 1989 to pay $37.50 each week in financial support of his son. He eventually stopped paying the weekly amount, and 12 and a half years' worth of payments accrued. He now owes over $24,000, with interest of nearly twice that. He is in jail until he pays a fine of $1,000, which will go toward paying off his total amount.

In addition, it was discovered that the man owes even more child support for a second child. In 2003 there was another order by the court for him to pay nearly $200 each month for this child. Interest of nearly $20,000 has accrued against his $26,000 account that is also currently in arrears.

The court considers several factors, including the financial status of both parents, when setting an amount for child support. When circumstances change, such as the loss of a job or a decrease in a paycheck, going back to court for an adjustment is a better option than simply not paying any support at all. Custodial parents in Pennsylvania having problems in receiving support payments from an ex will want to contact an attorney about their legal rights when collecting what is owed them.

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